Motorists traveling along I-70 are scheduled to see some activity at the Missouri River Bridge near Rocheport this weekend.

As part of preparations for the construction of the new bridge, contractors for the Missouri Department of Transportation are scheduled to bore through the bridge deck to collect soil samples and rock characteristics of the land below. The information gathered will be used to help with the creation of design plans for the new bridge.

This process will require the closure of the westbound driving lane from the Route BB interchange to one mile west of the bridge that is scheduled to last from 7 p.m. Friday, April 9, to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 11. If crews are unable to complete the work during that time, they will return and close the westbound driving lane in the same location the following weekend.

Signs will be in place to alert motorists of the lane closure. Drivers should expect delays.

While no exact timeline has been established for the new bridge, construction is expected to begin in 2022.

All work is weather permitting and could be delayed.